|
|
 |
 |
|
|
Higher Learning Symposium |
|
|
|
Learning From Other Places
October 19, 2006
Symposium Overview:
The Higher Learning Symposium took place at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel on October 19, 2006.
 The day was divided into three parts. The morning session, co-sponsored by the Canadian Urban Institute was moderated by former Mayor David Cromie and featured a keynote address by William Thorsell (Director, ROM) and presentations by Edith Hsu-Chen (Deputy Director, Manhattan, NYC Department of City Planning), Sam Assefa (Director, Policy Chicago Department of Planning, and former Planning Director in San Francisco), and Lora Nicolaou (Director, Urban Strategies DEGW, London), which focussed on big picture policy issues.
This was followed by a series of three consecutive afternoon workshops - one dealing with detailed policy issues, the second dealing with tall building communities, and the third with tools and technologies for gauging tall building impacts.
The day concluded with an evening lecture and panel discussion co-sponsored by the Toronto Society of Architects and featured moderator Rick Wolfe, and presentations by U of T professor and author Mark Kingwell and Paul Katz; a Design Partner at KPF Architects. The presentations were followed by an interactive panel discussion with local and international panel members.
Higher Learning Symposium Objective:
What can Toronto learn from other cities grappling with these same fundamental issues?
Aerial photography courtesy of Ernie D. Scullion (PhotoToronto@AOL.com) |
On October 19, 2006 the Higher Learning Symposium examined opposing views through the eyes of tall building designers, developers, city staff and residents from other North American and European cities. Invited speakers presented and discussed the visions for their high density downtowns and neighbourhoods - and explained how they incorporated tall buildings into their visions and the types of tools and design guidelines employed to achieve the desired results.
|
PDF of the Higher Learning Symposium Agenda. ( )
(NOTE: You will need to have the latest version of the
 FREE Acrobat Reader to view PDF files linked on this page.)
Evening of October 18:
In preparation for the Higher Learning Symposium, City Staff provided out- of-town speakers with some background information about Toronto. A view of the City from the CN tower preceded a tour of the Downtown area to see firsthand some of Toronto's Tall Buildings. In the evening, several presentations by staff gave further background about the City of Toronto's Official Plan and the Design Criteria for Review of Tall Building Proposals (2.6 MB ).
- Morning - CUI Urban Leadership Series
Growing the Skyline: A Fresh Perspective on Tall Buildings
7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Hosted by: City of Toronto and Canadian Urban Institute
The Westin Harbour Castle, Harbour Ballroom,
1 Harbour Sq., Toronto, ON
 For almost 150 years - ever since Elisha Otis introduced the first passenger elevator - city dwellers around the world have learned to live with - and in - tall buildings that both excite and infuriate. To some, skyscrapers are a logical, cost-effective response to the need to accommodate growing populations that can result in dramatic skylines. For others, tall buildings evoke images of dark canyons, windswept streets, and unacceptable levels of congestion. But what tips the balance between congestion and vibrant street life? Is there a reasonable trade-off between developing at densities that support public transit and securing sensitive designs that protect neighbourhood character? In the face of strong views and conflicting opinion, cities everywhere - Toronto included - are seeking to create coherent policy and design guidelines that meet the test of good planning and increased livability.
This Urban Leadership session, moderated by former Mayor David Crombie, kicked off with a keynote address by ROM Chair William Thorsell, and was followed by an intensive program of learning and discussion on tall buildings with experts from New York(Edith Hsu-Chen - Deputy Director, Manhattan Department of City Planning) , London (Lora Nicolaou - Director of Urban Strategies DEGW) and Chicago (Samuel Assefa - Director, Policy of Chicago Department of Planning and Development).
 Morning Presentations
- Afternoon Concurrent Workshops
Creating the Vision: Tools of the Trade
1:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hosted by: City of Toronto
The Westin Harbour Castle, Harbour Ballroom,
1 Harbour Sq., Toronto, ON
The three concurrent afternoon workshops explored, in more detail, many of the themes and issues presented at the Urban Leadership Session. The format included a series of brief, detailed presentations followed by a moderated debate and discussion.
- City of Toronto/TSA Evening Lecture
Lofty Goals: When & How Can We Get the Skyline and Downtown Community we Deserve?
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
(Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Hosted by: City of Toronto and Toronto Society of Architects
The Westin Harbour Castle, Harbour Ballroom,
1 Harbour Sq., Toronto, ON
The evening session - co-sponsored by the City of Toronto and the Toronto Society of Architects will provide its audience a fascinating interactive lecture and panel discussion led by internationally renowned moderator Rick Wolfe.
Moderator: Rick Wolfe (PostStone)
Speakers:
Mark Kingwell - author and University of Toronto professor of Philosophy - opened the evening with his provocative ideas and insights on tall buildings outlined in his recently published book on the Empire State Building entitled, The Nearest Thing To Heaven.
Paul Katz - Senior Partner with Kohn Pedersen Fox - New York, followed with a presentation on the history and evolution of tall buildings. Drawing from examples of his work in major cities in the U.S., Europe and the Far East, Paul illustrated how tall buildings have been, and continue to be used to enhance city character and skylines while creating vibrant livable places.
Following the presentations, the speakers joined the panel of five international and local urbanists, representing various perspectives on tall buildings, as Rick Wolfe led them and the audience in an interactive, provocative and educational discussion and debate of the issues presented as well as the topics raised throughout the course of the day.
 The City of Toronto would like to extend our thanks to the CN Tower for their contributions to the Higher Learning Symposium. As Toronto's first tower and the world's highest freestanding structure, our out of town speakers will have the best views of the City, courtesy of the CN Tower.
If you have any questions about the Higher Learning Symposium, email higherlearning@toronto.ca.
|
|
|
